The high and low of buying a lens on eBay (28mm ASPH)

[Chubkins]

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Was excited to get a deal on a 28mm ASPH that was described in good condition (~£1,000). eBay always has it's ups and downs and today was a down. The lens arrived and had loads of fungus that the seller didn't describe. Crazy to see that in a fairly new lens and not something even remotely vintage. Had to send it back, but I realized that I dislike the hood setup with that lens so much that it's no longer on the table as an option for me. Time to keep searching.

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[Lonescapes]

I can't do eBay anymore. Lenses are a particular sore spot. You get screwed as a buyer because there are people out there who will sell an etched lens with no clue that it's etched, and you get screwed as a seller because people have totally bizarre expectations about the cleanliness of glass. It's crazy how many listings say that used lenses several or more years old have 'no dust.' Unless your lens has been orbiting the earth in the vacuum of space for the entirety of its post-manufacture lifespan, it has dust in it that will be plainly visible with a flashlight test, but won't have any effect whatsoever on pictures.

 

I will buy and sell used camera bodies if it saves me money, but gave up on used lenses a long time ago. Hassle I don't have time for.

[Chubkins]

I'm willing to take the risk because it can pay off and as a buyer you're overly protected to the point that buyers hold all the cards. 

[Lonescapes]

Definitely selling is the worse experience at this point. Has been that way for a while.

[Chubkins]

Definitely selling is the worse experience at this point. Has been that way for a while.

 

Yup, though I continue on with it despite of the issues.

[spydrxx]

With over 10 yrs of buying & selling photo equipment on Ebay, I'd reiterate, it all comes down to asking the proper questions of sellers and stepping away when you get inconclusive or indefinite answers. With lenses, I always ask the seller to check with a flashlight test and report to me...if they discover something, but it is minor and not previously revealed in their condition description, I always ask them to discount the asking price by 20-50%. If they won't, I don't buy. I also apply the discount factor in my bidding...yes, I usually don't win the item, but the ones I do win are always up to my standards.